Stars of David Week of Sep. 29, 2005

September 29, 2005

If they build it, they will … hear? Seems the case. Philadelphia's Toll Bros. - who have built a national following for their home-construction finesse - have helped make sure that the famous Metropolitan Opera weekly broadcasts won't collapse. Robert I. Toll, chairman/CEO of the company, has announced a major gift to the opera after it lost funding from another donor. Gee, maybe Rudolfo can now afford to get that leaky roof fixed in that blasted garret he's been enticing Mimi to all these years. … And when they're not eliciting yells of "Bravo!" from the opera crowd: Bruce Toll, who co-founded the company with brother Robert and left it seven years ago, came out on top in a bidding war with Donald Trump no less for prized property in Atlantic City. Gee, beating the Donald … wonder if there's an "Apprentice" in his future. … Channeling: Ralph J. Roberts, founder of Comcast, will receive the Musser 2005 Excellence in Leadership Award from the Fox School of Business of Temple University on Nov. 2. Don't set the Tivo that night; this one is live. … Kuved comes in twos, it's clear: His wife, Suzanne Roberts, whose "Seeking Solutions With Suzanne" is one of the popular attractions on Comcast, will be honored as "Senior of the Year" by the Muller Center for Senior Health/Abington Memorial Hospital, on Oct. 6, and will be keynote speaker for their same-day Health and Wellness Fair. … Nu, a genius: Michael Cohen, prexy of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, based in Huntingdon Valley, is the recipient of a $500,000 "genius" grant from the MacArthur Foundation for his work in helping prevent medication mistakes. The trained pharmacist is one of just 25 to take home the prestigious honor. … Wonder if Aaron J. Salkin, who has a lot of family in Philly, is eating crow these days - or is that Eagle? Salkin's just been named director of public relations for the San Francisco 49ers, and the way the Birds beat them two weeks ago must mean he had to put more spin on talking to his relatives than was on McNabb's spiral. Could have been worse; last job Salkin had was as director of football communications for the Atlanta Falcons - and we all know what those birds did to our Iggles opening day. … Hyski O'Rooney McVoutie O'Zoot - aka Hy Lit to his Wibbage brethern - is getting a tribute/fund-raiser thrown in his honor on Oct. 9. The three-hour shindig, at the Ardmore Fire Company - where else you going to put it when you're saluting somebody named "Lit" - is planned by the Friends of Hy Lit, which has organized a trust fund to help out the legendary D.J., up in spirits but a bit down in the financial scene. Real estate broker Gary Hendler is one of the group's trustees. Hyski will be escorted to the event by a motorcycle escort. Really? You know Hy, he don't lie. … See ya: Dr. Richard Sterling of Nevyas Eye Associates has gotten the gold - the prexy of the Philadelphia County Optometric Society has been honored as Optometrist of the Year by the Philadelphia Optometric Society. So, raise your glasses - nah, the drinking kind - to the good doc. … Separate checks, please! "Tax Consequences in Divorce: Avoiding the Pitfalls" was the topic addressed by Dennis L. Cohen and Richard J. Siple, both of Cozen O'Connor, at a seminar sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. So that's where Renée Zellweger was hanging out. … What becomes a public-relations specialist more than getting publicity? Well, enjoy yourself, Jeff Jubelirer, principal of Ceisler Jubelirer and newly elected prexy of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association. Oh, what the hell - "Stars" will run the picture, too.